One solution has to fit all: a makeover in a crisis centre

The last episode of the season is special in more than one way. Not only is it linked to IKEA social responsibility project "Notice violence", it also presents a huge challenge for the IKEA interior designer Elīna. Her task is to freshen up a kitchen of a crisis centre and this means that the interior has to fit the many temporary inhabitants that come and go here. At the same time, it does not do to make it purely utilitarian, it has to feel like home. Elīna will show all her skill to make this happen.
 

Sturdy but outdated: a kitchen that has seen it all

The kitchen is as old as the crisis centre itself: once ordered as a tailor-made solution, it has served well for 16 years, and now the room is waiting for a well deserved makeover. As a hub of activity it needs a lot of storage and possibilities to be together. The old interior does offer that, albeit in a way that is not always as functional as it should be.

Understanding the needs in a crisis

Instead of the usual inspirational workshop, Elīna meets the manager of the crisis centre Inese Tentere and psychotherapist Dr. Ņikita Bezborodovs in order to understand better, what exactly is a crisis situation and what are the needs of women and children in such situations. The first task is to achieve an environment that feels safe. The feeling of safety can be enhanced with design in the sense that it can be made to feel more like home.

Ergonomic planning is a must

Ergonomy is something worth thinking about, especially when planning a kitchen. It is especially important in a kitchen like this one, where more than one person cooks simultaneously. Designer Elīna has planned the kitchen along one wall and without the upper cabinets to keep the impression airier. On the sides, there is fridge and some additional storage, but the central stage is left for the big table surrounded by sunny yellow chairs that add to the cosiness of the space.
 

Light wood and peachy pinks for a feminine touch

The wish of the manager of the crisis centre was for the room to be light and more "optimistic" and to have some natural materials too. Elīna has chosen a harmony of warm wooden fronts for the kitchen and a shade of peach with a subtle pink undertone that gives the whole interior a soft and feminine vibe that acts calming and comforting. Smart solutions like hidden waste sorting add to the functionality of this kitchen and in another corner, there is an ingenuous combination of waste bins used as storage bins for fruit and veggies.
 

A kitchen for big and small

The clients of this crisis centre are women with small children and thus, the interior has to take into account the needs of the smaller ones. Elīna has added several children-friendly solutions, like high chairs at the table and a small separate table with chairs that can be used both as a miniature dining table and a play table so that children can be entertained while the mother prepares the meal.